Fixed-term employer-sponsored work permit

Different types of work permits that can be applied for foreigners to access the labour market in Türkiye are defined in the International Labour Force Law No. 6735, which entered into force after being published in the Official Gazette No. 29800 dated 13.08.2016.

If the application for a work permit is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted a work permit valid for up to one year at the first application, provided that he/she works in a specific workplace belonging to a real or legal person or public institution or organisation, or in their workplaces in the same line of business, in a specific job and under an employer, provided that it does not exceed the duration of the employment or service contract.

A work permit is a permit issued by the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security in the form of an official document that grants the foreigner the right to work and reside in Türkiye within the validity period. However, work permits issued to foreigners under temporary protection, international protection applicants and conditional refugees do not substitute for residence permits.

If the application for a work permit is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted a work permit valid for up to one year at the first application, provided that he/she works in a specific workplace belonging to a real or legal person or public institution or organisation, or in their workplaces in the same line of business, in a specific job and under an employer, provided that it does not exceed the duration of the employment or service contract.

A definite work permit can be extended if an extension application is made within the legal period. If the work permit extension application is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted a work permit for up to two years in the first extension application and up to three years in subsequent extension applications, under the same employer. However, applications to work for a different employer are considered within the scope of the first application.

Fixed-term Work Permit: If the application is evaluated positively, it is issued to the foreigner for a certain period of time, provided that he/she works for a specific job in a specific workplace belonging to a real or legal person or public institution or organization, provided that it does not exceed the duration of the employment or service contract.

1.1. In workplaces subject to the balance sheet basis procedure, for each foreigner for whom a work permit application is made, it is essential to employ at least five Turkish citizens in the workplace where the foreigner will be working.

1.2. Workplaces with net sales of 50,000,000 Turkish Liras or more in the last year, will be exempt from the employment criteria for up to five foreigners.

2.1. For work permit applications made for foreigners to be employed in newly established workplaces (established in the most recent financial year and not yet having prepared a year-end balance sheet and annual income statement), the workplace must have a paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TL.

2.2. For work permit applications made for foreigners to be employed in workplaces operating under the balance sheet basis method (established in a year prior to the current financial year and having prepared at least one year-end balance sheet and annual income statement), the workplace must have either a paid-in capital of at least 500,000 TL, net sales of at least 8,000,000 TL, or exports of at least 150,000 USD.

3.1. The remuneration of the foreigner must be at least as follows, takin into account the current gross minimum wage at the time of the work permit application date: a) Five times the minimum wage for senior executives and pilots, b) Four times the minimum wage for engineers and architects, c) Three times the minimum wage for other managers, d) Twice the minimum wage for those employed in jobs requiring expertise and mastery, e) The minimum wage for foreigners employed in domestic work and other professions/jobs.

3.2. The implementation of the thresholds for paid-up capital and net sales in Section A, Article 2, and the capital share threshold in Section C, Article 1, will come into effect on 01/01/2025.

If the application for a work permit is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted a work permit valid for up to one year at the first application, provided that he/she works in a specific workplace belonging to a real or legal person or public institution or organisation, or in their workplaces in the same line of business, in a specific job and under an employer, provided that it does not exceed the duration of the employment or service contract.

A definite work permit can be extended if an extension application is made within the legal period. If the work permit extension application is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted a work permit for up to two years in the first extension application and up to three years in subsequent extension applications, under the same employer. However, applications to work for a different employer are considered within the scope of the first application.

Fixed-term, Permanent or Independent Work Permit documents have the same card design and they substitute for residence permits. Foreigners within this scope can travel between provinces with their work permit documents during the validity period without the need to obtain a travel permit.

A work permit is a permit issued by the Turkish Ministry of Labour and Social Security in the form of an official document that grants the foreigner the right to work and reside in Türkiye within the validity period. However, work permits issued to foreigners under temporary protection, international protection applicants and conditional refugees do not substitute for residence permits.

If the application for a work permit is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted a work permit valid for up to one year at the first application, provided that he/she works in a specific workplace belonging to a real or legal person or public institution or organisation, or in their workplaces in the same line of business, in a specific job and under an employer, provided that it does not exceed the duration of the employment or service contract.

A definite work permit can be extended if an extension application is made within the legal period. If the work permit extension application is positively evaluated, the foreigner is granted a work permit for up to two years in the first extension application and up to three years in subsequent extension applications, under the same employer. However, applications to work for a different employer are considered within the scope of the first application.

Foreigners who have a long-term residence permit in Türkiye or a legal work permit for at least eight years can apply for a permanent work permit. However, fulfilment of the application conditions does not provide an absolute right to the foreigner.